TY - JOUR
T1 - On Organizational Robustness: A Conceptual Framework
AU - Xie, Yancong
AU - Desouza, Kevin
AU - Ali Jabbari Sabegh , Mohammad
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Understanding robustness and how organizations can configure and adapt is fundamental for survival. In this paper, we build on the general system theory to conceptualize the underlying mechanisms of organizational robustness. We propose a framework that defines the fundamental notions and typologies of robustness – instrumental, structural, and cognitive robustness. We define mechanisms for these three categories of robustness as strategical mechanisms, functional mechanisms, and infrastructure mechanisms, and we explain how these mechanisms enable proactive, structured, or agile organizational responses to predictable and unpredictable crises.
AB - Understanding robustness and how organizations can configure and adapt is fundamental for survival. In this paper, we build on the general system theory to conceptualize the underlying mechanisms of organizational robustness. We propose a framework that defines the fundamental notions and typologies of robustness – instrumental, structural, and cognitive robustness. We define mechanisms for these three categories of robustness as strategical mechanisms, functional mechanisms, and infrastructure mechanisms, and we explain how these mechanisms enable proactive, structured, or agile organizational responses to predictable and unpredictable crises.
KW - Robustness
KW - Conceptualization
KW - Organizational design
KW - General systems theory
KW - Resilience
U2 - 10.1111/1468-5973.12423
DO - 10.1111/1468-5973.12423
M3 - Article
SN - 0966-0879
JO - Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management
JF - Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management
ER -